Saturday was a strong one for raucous environments. First, the Gangneung Curling Centre got rowdy for South Korea’s first curling win of the Games, an upset of Great Britain one day after a near-upset of top gold contender Canada. That was a really good building. But the Gangneung Hockey Centre at night for the United States against the Olympic Athletes of Russia? Now that was a building. Fans of the United States and (the Olympic athletes of) Russia were non-stop through three periods of hockey. The Russians figured to be the favorite here and they are, tons of talent and cohesion on that team. And the Americans are medal contenders, they have skill and speed and, as anyone who was watching the game Saturday night saw, heart. Speaking of which, I wrote about Scott Hamilton for Saturday’s paper and it was a really good conversation – though when we started talking ’84 Olympics, I got the sense it was kind of like Chris Farley interviewing Paul McCartney. I think I may have even said: “That was awesome.”

Anyway, reporting for that story left a lot of good stuff that couldn’t make the column, and I’d rather deliver it here to you than just sweep it away, never to be seen.

*Preds President Sean Henry on partnering for the Scott Hamilton Skating Academy: “The only requirement he said he had was he wanted every kid to leave the rink laughing. And unless you’ve had a kid learn how to skate, you don’t know how special that is. I mean, my two boys learned in Florida, and the first three months they wanted to quit every day. They were miserable, they were crying, it was awful. And he said, ‘I don’t want any kid to leave our rink unhappy or sad. They should look forward to coming here and shouldn’t want to leave, and when they do leave they should be laughing.’ It’s one thing to say it, but this guy preaches it and lives it. The guy is on the ice, and I don’t think these kids even realize who they’re getting taught by. It’s like Ty Cobb teaching you how to hit. The difference is, Scott’s also a great human, unlike Ty Cobb. He just brings so much energy. He’s a hard guy to describe, because he’s bigger and better than any words you can put on him.”

*Predators GM David Poile on Hamilton, who has given talks to Predators players at times: “All he needs to do is get up in front of a group and tell his story, all the things he’s been through health-wise. As an athlete, what it took to be successful. How he carries himself. You hear him speak in the community on all these things – I mean, who doesn’t love Scott Hamilton? Who isn’t influenced by how he conducts himself as a person and all the things he does?”

*Hamilton on his recent presentation to the Nashville Sports Commission on the need for more ice in the city, mentioning the success of the academy: “I told them, ‘Even if you’ve never picked up a dart in your life, if you throw 1,000 darts at a dartboard, you’re going to hit a bull’s eye a couple times.’ So having a thousand people going through our program every year, some of those guys, just by sheer numbers, are going to go to the NHL. Some of them may even go to the Olympics. Wouldn’t that be something?”

Germany defenseman Christian Ehrhoff (10) battles for the puck with Russia forward Ivan Telegin (7) during the third period in the men's ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Russia forward Nikita Gusev (97) celebrates after scoring a goal against Germany during the third period in the men's ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Czech Republic forward Roman Horak (51) reaches for the puck ahead of Russia defenseman Vyacheslav Voinov (26) during the first period in the men's ice hockey semifinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Russia forward Kirill Kaprizov (77) battles for the puck with Czech Republic forward Jan Kovar (43) during the third period in the men's ice hockey semifinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Germany forward Felix Schutz (55) is called for a boarding against Canada defenseman Maxim Noreau (56) during the first period in the men's ice hockey semifinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Canada goaltender Kevin Poulin (31) gives up a goal to Germany forward Brooks Macek (not pictured) during the first period in the men's ice hockey semifinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Germany forward Brooks Macek (12) celebrates with Yannic Seidenberg (36) after scoring a goal against Canada during the first period in the men's ice hockey semifinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Canada forward Rene Bourque (17) battles for the puck with Germany forward Marcel Goc (57) during the third period in the men's ice hockey semifinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Canada players, from left, Rebecca Johnston, Laura Stacey, and Laura Fortino, react after losing to the United States in the women's ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States goaltender Madeline Rooney (35) gives up a goal to Canada forward Marie-Philip Poulin (not pictured) during the second period in the women's ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Gigi Marvin (19) dives for the puck between Canada defenseman Renata Fast (14) and forward Marie-Philip Poulin (29) during the first period in the women's ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Hilary Knight (21) celebrates after scoring a goal past Canada goaltender Shannon Szabados (1) during the first period in the women's ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Hilary Knight (21) deflects the puck past Canada goaltender Shannon Szabados (1) for a goal during the first period in the women's ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Hilary Knight (21) celebrates a goal against Canada during the first period in the women's ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Monique Lamoureux-Morando (7) attempts a wrap around against Canada forward Emily Clark (26) during the third period in the women's ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Monique Lamoureux-Morando (7) celebrates with Emily Pfalzer (8) after scoring a goal against Canada during the third period in the women's ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Jocelyne Lamoureux (17) celebrates a goal in a shootout against Canada in the women's ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States players snap a photo of themselves after defeating Canada in the women's ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States goaltender Ryan Zapolski (30) reacts after playing Czech Republic in the men's ice hockey quarterfinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States goaltender Ryan Zapolski (30) and defender Matt Gilroy (97) react after the game against Czech Republic of the men's ice hockey quarterfinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States goaltender Ryan Zapolski (30) makes a save on Czech Republic in overtime of the men's ice hockey quarterfinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States defenseman Ryan Gunderson (13) works to clear the puck from the goal against Czech Republic in the first period of the men's ice hockey quarterfinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Czech Republic goaltender Pavel Francouz (33) is unable to stop a shot for a goal by United States forward Jim Slater (19) in the second period of the men's ice hockey quarterfinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles-USA TODAY Sports Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Jim Slater (19) shoots the puck past Czech Republic defenseman Ondrej Nemec (23) for a goal in the second period of the men's ice hockey quarterfinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Jim Slater (19) celebrates after he scores a goal on the Czech Republic in the second period of the men's ice hockey quarterfinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Czech Republic defenseman Ondrej Nemec (23) and United States forward Jim Slater (19) battle for the puck in the second period of the men's ice hockey quarterfinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Czech Republic forward Petr Koukal (42) slides into the net of United States goaltender Ryan Zapolski (30) in the third period of the men's ice hockey quarterfinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Czech Republic forward Martin Erat (91) plays the puck in overtime against United States of the men's ice hockey quarterfinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti (22) reacts after playing Czech Republic in the men's ice hockey quarterfinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Czech Republic goaltender Pavel Francouz (33) greets fans after playing the United States in the men's ice hockey quarterfinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Madison Chock and Evan Bates (USA) fall to the ice as they perform in the figure skating free dance event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Madison Chock and Evan Bates (USA) fall to the ice as they perform in the figure skating free dance event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena. , Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Fans take a nap as the Olympic Athletes from Russia face Canada in the women's ice hockey semifinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Danielle Cameranesi (24) celebrates a goal against Finland in the women's ice hockey semifinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Gigi Marvin (19) celebrates a goal against Finland in the women's ice hockey semifinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

The Olympic Athletes from Russia's Olga Sosina (18) walks off the ice after losing to Canada in the women's ice hockey semifinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Canada forward Wojciech Wolski (8) hits the glass in the second period against Republic of Korea during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Canada forward Mason Raymond (21) tries unsuccessfully to knock the puck into the goal over Korea goaltender Matt Dalton (1) in the second period during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Canada goaltender Kevin Poulin (31) makes a save on a Republic of Korea shot in the third period during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Korea forward Brock Radunske (25) battles for the puck against Canada forward Mason Raymond (21) in the first period during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Czech Republic forward Jiri Sekac (64) passes the puck back along the boards against Canada in the third period during men's ice hockey Group A play in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Olympic Athlete from Russia forward Nikolai Prokhorkin (74) scores a goal past United States goaltender Ryan Zapolski (30) in the first period during men's ice hockey Group B play in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Switzerland forward Pius Suter (44) scores a goal past Korea goaltender Matt Dalton (1) in the third period during men's ice hockey Group A play in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Korea goaltender Matt Dalton (1) fails to stop a goal from being scored by Switzerland defenseman Felicien du Bois (13) in the second period during men's ice hockey Group A play in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Russia forward Pavel Datsyuk (13) reaches for the puck in the first period against USA during men's ice hockey Group B play in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Troy Terry (23) battles for the puck with Olympic Athlete from Russia defenseman Bogdan Kiselevich (55) in the second period during men's ice hockey Group B play in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Olympic Athlete from Russia fans celebrate as the players leave the ice after defeating USA during men's ice hockey Group B play in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Peter Davidovitch of Chicago, Ill., watches warmups prior to a hockey game between the U.S. and Slovakia during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

U.S. defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti (22) and Slovakia forward Matej Paulovic (67) fight for the puck in a hockey game between the U.S. and Slovakia during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

U.S. defenseman Matt Gilroy (97) is checked into the boards by Slovakia forward Milos Bubela (17) in a hockey game between the U.S. and Slovakia during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

U.S> goaltender Ryan Zapolski (30) tries to cover the puck as in a hockey game between the U.S. and Slovakia during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Slovakia defenseman Juraj Valach (16) takes down United States forward Garrett Roe (11) in a hockey game between the U.S. and Slovakia during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Olympic Athlete of Russia forward Ilya Kovalchuk (71) celebrates his goal during the first period against Slovenia at the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Olympic Athlete of Russia defenseman Artyom Zub (2) and Slovenia forward Jan Mursak (39) battle for the puck during the second period at the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Olympic Athletes of Russia fans cheer after their fourth goal during the second period against Slovenia at the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. , Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Olympic Athletes of Russia fans cheer after their fifth goal during the second period against Slovenia at the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Norway forward Patrick Thoresen (41) celebrates his goal against Finland in the first period during men's ice hockey group C play in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Finland forward Julius Junttila (13) battles for the puck with Norway defenseman Stefan Espeland (17) in the second period during men's ice hockey group C play in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Finland defenseman Juuso Hietanen (38) battles for the puck with Norway forward Mathis Olimb (46) in the third period during men's ice hockey group C play in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

The puck bounces up between Norway forward Mats Rosseli Olsen (51) and Finland goaltender Mikko Koskinen (19) in the third period during men's ice hockey group C play in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Norway forward Ken Andre Olimb (40) battles for the puck with Finland defenseman Atte Ohtamaa (55) in the third period during men's ice hockey group C play in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Slovakia forward Andrej Kudrna (18) scores as U.S. goaltender Ryan Zapolski (30) cannot make the save as the puck finds the back of the net in a hockey game between the United Sates of America and Slovakia during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Feb 15, 2018; Gangneung, South Korea; North Korean Cheerleaders at the game between Korea and the Czech Republic in Men's Hockey Group A play during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles-USA TODAY Sports Andrew Nelles, Andrew Nelles-USA TODAY Sports

Finland defenseman Atte Ohtamaa (55) dives for the puck in a hockey game between Finland and Germany during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Norway forward Kristian Forsberg (26) holds his bloody nose during the second period against Sweden at the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

North Korean Cheerleaders at the game between Korea and the Czech Republic in Men's Hockey Group A play during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Korea defenseman Won Jun Kim (6) looks for the puck against Czech Republic in Men's Hockey Group A play during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Norway forward Patrick Thoresen (41) moves the puck under pressure by Sweden defenseman Staffan Kronwall (4) during the second period at the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennesssean

North Korean Cheerleaders at the game between Korea and the Czech Republic in Men's Hockey Group A play during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States goaltender Nicole Hensley (29) heads out to the ice before women's hockey group A play against Olympic Athletes from Russia during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Olympic Athlete from Russia goaltender Valeria Tarakanova (1) keeps an eye on the puck as it sails in the air in a hockey game between the United States and the Olympic Athletes from Russia during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States goaltender Nicole Hensley (29) wears a painted helmet in women's hockey group A play during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Finland forward Emma Nuutinen (22) looks on as Canada forward Blayre Turnbull (40) passes the puck during a hockey game between Canada and Finland at the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Olympic Athlete from Russia goaltender Valeria Tarakanova (1) tries to cover the puck while players crash the net in a hockey game between the United States and the Olympic Athletes from Russia during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Monique Lamoureux-Morando (7) shoots the puck against Olympic Athlete from Russia goaltender Valeria Tarakanova (1) in women's hockey group A play during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Jocelyne Lamoureux (17) celebrates scoring a goal against Olympic Athletes from Russia in women's hockey group A play during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Yulia Galysheva (KZA) reacts after being announced as the bronze medalist during the medals ceremony for the ladies' moguls freestyle skiing event in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Medals Plaza. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

David Gleirscher (AUT), center, reacts after being announced as the gold medalist during the ceremony for the men's singles luge event as silver medalist Chris Mazdzer (USA), left, and bronze medalist Johannes Ludwig (GER) look on in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Medals Plaza. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Team Canada jumps onto the podium after being announced as the gold medalists during the medals ceremony for the figure skating team event in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Medals Plaza. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Kendall Coyne (26) celebrates after scoring a goal against Finland during women's hockey group A play during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Olympic athletes from Russia huddle before the game against Canada in women's hockey group A play during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Kwandong Hockey Centre. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles-USA TODAY Sports Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Monique Lamoureux-Morando (7) scores a goal against Finland during women's hockey group A play during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Russia goaltender Nadezhda Morozova (92) covers the puck against Canada during women's hockey group A play in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Canada forward Rebecca Johnston (6) celebrates a goal against Olympic Athletes from Russia during women's hockey group A play during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

A member of a group from North Korea wears a North Korean flag pin before women's ice hockey Group B play between Switzerland and the combined Koreas in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at the Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

North Korean supporters cheer after women's ice hockey Group B play between Switzerland and the combined Koreas in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at the Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

North Korean supporters, bottom, walk to their seats near South Korean fans, top, before women's ice hockey Group B play between Switzerland and the combined Koreas in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at the Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

North Korean supporters cheer during women's ice hockey Group B play between Switzerland and the combined Koreas in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at the Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

North Korean supporters cheer during women's ice hockey Group B play between Switzerland and the combined Koreas in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at the Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

*Hamilton on cancer treatments: “The image of chemotherapy is that it makes you very sick, right? But I had chemo, and here I am. Right? Here I am. I ask people, ‘What do you think the biggest effect of chemo is?’ And they’ll say nausea or hair loss. Nope. They go ‘What is it?’ I say, ‘It kills cancer.’ But at the same time, I want to get rid of it. We’ve funded a pediatric immunotherapy research project that hopefully will help with medulloblastoma. Brain cancer in kids, it’s devastating to see what happens to kids.”

*Hamilton on his vision for figure skating World Championships and other major competitions in Nashville: “I mean, Bridgestone is an Olympic sponsor. A qualifying event for the Olympics? Yeah, I could see Bridgestone getting behind that in a big way. And you’ve got health care dollars there, you’ve got a lot of sponsorship opportunities. But the main thing is, we’re centrally located, we have the hotel space to accommodate anyone. The convention center is across the street and we could put a practice rink in there.”

*Hamilton on the Predator’s Stanley Cup Final run: “I think it changed the NHL. I mean, Nashville is Nashville, it’s growing, it’s booming, there are a million things to do and all that. But this showed the NHL what is possible when a city truly gets behind their hockey team. … That goal still makes me angry that they took back. I’ll never forgive the refs for that. Because it was a good goal. And it changed the trajectory of the game. First goal, game 6, changes the game.”

Contact Joe Rexrode at jrexrode@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter @joerexrode.